News

Farmers Alerted After Rabies Kills Kitten

11 November 2013

FRANCE – French government officials have advised parisienne farmers to exercise caution following the death of a kitten in the Val d’Oise area.

The ministry of agriculture, food and forestry has issued a joint statement with the ministry of social affairs and health that a two month old kitten, imported from an undisclosed rabies affected country, succumbed to the highly contagious viral disease on 25 October.

Health officials have identified five people to have come in contact with the animal after an epidemiological survey.

Public guidelines have been issued advising pets or carnivores bitten or scratched must be taken to a veterinarian within 24 hours of injury.

Pet owners are advised to immediately clean any wound with soap and water, applying an antiseptic solution.

Any injured, stray or wild animals should not be handled, the government has advised.